VOTE IN OUR POLL: Your say on Sekisui House resort

Stuart Cumming
Reporter
Stuart studied journalism at the University of Southern Queensland in Toowoomba. He worked briefly at Central Queensland News and Warwick Daily News. He has worked as a reporter at The Chronicle since July 2009.

COAST residents can put their arguments for and against a major Coast resort development.

Sunshine Coast Council has called for submissions on Sekisui House's plans to build The Westin Coolum Resort and Spa at Yaroomba Beach.

The developer is seeking approval for changes to the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme needed to establish the Yaroomba Beach Master Plan, of which the first stage includes a 220-room hotel as well as 148 units.

Reader poll

Should the Westin Coolum Resort and Spa at Yaroomba Beach development be approved?

This poll ended on 27 October 2017.

Current Results

Definitely, it's great for the Coast

61%

Only if changes are made to meet the planning scheme

29%

No way

8%

This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.

Stage one also includes construction of a shopping centre, a beach ecology and Indigenous education centre and surf life saving facilities.

Sekisui House ultimately plans to raise the number of units on its 19 hectare site to more than 1200 as the project progresses to further stages.

The way in which the application has so far progressed has raised concerns from Development Watch president Lynette Saxon.

Ms Saxon noted the public comment was in the lead up to Christmas, after the developer lodged its application in May.

"Due to the public interest in this development application, we would hope council's meeting to decide will be held at the very earliest in February when all residents have returned from holidays," Ms Saxon said.

IMPRESSIONS: The view from the public park back to the seven-storey, 5-star The Westin Coolum Resort and Spa.Sekisui House

Yaroomba Beach project director Evan Aldridge said Sekisui House had responded to all of the council's requests for extra information on the development.

"Yaroomba Beach is a once in a generation project that meets the current and future needs of the Sunshine Coast in a world class coastal village setting," Mr Aldridge said.

"It provides jobs for our kids so they can live locally, train locally and work locally."

He said the apartments and terrace homes increased the diversity of dwellings
available.

"There will be homes for people who want to downsize from their big family home and for
renters to live in a premium location, close to amenities and services."

Mr Aldridge said the only alternative to the coastal village at Yaroomba Beach had already been
approved - a gated housing estate with apartments up to four storeys.

"There is an existing 10-year-old approval for the site we can build," he said.

"But we wanted to do better, and create a coastal village, much needed tourism investment with
a five-star resort, diversity of accommodation with a park, shops, and greater public access to the
beach."

Mr Aldridge said all of the village heart with its community facilities and benefits would be built in
the first stage of the development.

He encouraged residents to go online to www.yaroombabeach.com.au to view the proposal.

Documents associated with the development are also available on the council PD Online website.